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Friday, May 6, 2011

Reaching A Domestically Challenged Generation

There was a time when motherhood involved nurturing one's children, particularly daughters, into domestic adulthood. Adequate attention to life skills and proper education in the finer arts ensured a young woman would be prepared for her role as wife and mother. But somewhere between my parent's generation and my own, a deviation from this model occurred. Essential skills once taught to young girls are now ridiculed. Submission to husbands and staying home to take care of the children are often classified as unworthy professions.

Consequently, many daughters have suffered from this change in attitude, especially those who desire to follow a Biblical model of womanhood. They find themselves entering into a marriage with no clue how to cook, clean, or even set up a simple management system for the home. As I examine the deterioration of these traditional roles, I can't help but wonder, what are the dynamics fostering this environment?

1. A Feminist Agenda.
When the feminist philosophy rose in popularity, so did the amount of women who pursued careers outside the home. I have no qualms with women who choose this avenue of work, so long as they are not neglecting their husbands, children, and their home. Wives and mothers have a God-given obligation to their family, and should actively be attentive to their needs. (Proverbs 31)I do believe though, that God has given us liberty in this area, and every woman should judge for themselves what they can and cannot handle when considering an additional career.

2. Skills not taught by their own mothers.
Homemaking blogs have exploded across the internet for two possible reasons. One, because there are many women who love and embrace the art of homemaking and have a passion to share their insights with others. Two, because wives and mothers, especially those who lack proper domestic training, eagerly absorb the information from those with more experience. The need for teaching these skills are numerous, and I fear women are not as well-equipped with the right tools to succeed as they should be.

I am not suggesting all girls require an expert education in the area of domestic abilities. Not everyone enjoys sewing new things, experimenting in the kitchen, or decorating the interior of the home. I simply want to convey the importance of learning the basic essentials so we are prepared to properly care for our families and can then discontinue the current generational trend. Sites, like Raising Homemakers, are completely dedicated to promoting this.

3. The unfortunate occurrence of single-parent homes.
Those who are single mothers and fathers usually have no choice but to work outside the home in order to provide. This often places time constraints on the parent who must now take on the role of both genders. Adequate training of daughters can still be accomplished, though it may be more difficult than one who has a spouse to share that responsibility.

What about those who have no children, gave birth to only boys, or find themselves an empty-nester? You still have an obligation! Titus 2:4-5 does not say, "women train their daughters...", rather, "older women need to train the younger.....". There are no relational requirements involved. Can you imagine the wonderful mentoring opportunity that awaits you? You now have a reason to pass on your skills and wisdom to a girl who may not have had a proper role model.

This Mother's Day, take the time to say thank you to your mom, or to a woman who willingly mentored you in the preparation of marriage, motherhood, and the art of homemaking. Accordingly, be the same example to your own children, training them in the necessary skills to efficiently manage their own future family. Your daughter may someday become a wife and mother and God has givenyou the responsibility to help her succeed in this capacity. May the world be influenced by our commitment to please the Lord and raise up a generation for Him.